Family Emergency Fund (FEF)

The Family Emergency Fund (FEF) is a cash assistance program for Utah residents in need of financial support due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. The fund was specifically created to support individuals and families who were excluded from federal stimulus aid. 

Comunidades Unidas has encountered hundreds of families in dire need of economic support. Data shows that immigrants and Latinos in Utah are disproportionately affected by COVID-19 both in terms of rates of infections and economically. 

According to data from the Utah Department of Health, at one point Latinxs comprised close to 43% of all COVID-19 cases in the state even though they only represent 14% of the total population. This exacerbates the financial burden Latinx and immigrant families face and speaks to the need for immediate action to be taken to address this inequity. 

The Family Emergency Fund supports families with a $500 cash assistance payment that can be used to pay for rent, utilities, healthcare costs, food, or other essential needs identified by recipients. 

Special focus is placed on families left out of the federal stimulus program facing any of the following additional hardships: 

• Household member has tested positive for COVID-19 or is currently hospitalized

• Lost loved ones due to COVID-19

• Lost job or experienced a reduction in income

• At risk of eviction 

• At risk of getting utilities disconnected

• Facing intersectionality of other barriers: disability, lack of health insurance, limited English proficiency, etc